Favourite Fours

[Otter74]

I'm not going to claim it's the best four out there, but the SR20DE in my Sentra SE-R is a great engine. Good power, loves to rev, and it's torquey. With the aftermarket ECU on mine it's also extremely tractable. I've driven an acquaintance's SE-R with a built SR20VE running on a standalone and it puts down about 280hp at the crank naturally aspirated. Below 5000 it feels like a normal SR20 and you can get 30mpg, above 5000 it's wild. Fuel cut at 9.

[javadog]

E30 M3. Terrific cars.

[cockerpunk]

basically every honda 4 is the best in class. D/B/K ... best in every era.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by vash

I’ll go lower down the engine food chain.

Toyota 22re.

Saab 93 for me. I love the look, and I’m in no hurry to get anywhere.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I’ve never had a 4-cylinder that I’ve really loved. My 951s were fun but the turbo dominates the experience, and the lag was horrible around town. Driven a lot of Miata’s and always felt they were awesome in spite of the pedestrian engine. Saab 900SE and 9000 Aero were velvety smooth without a lot of lag, but had torque steering from hell. Mazda Protege5 was hot hatch tossable with a truck motor, supercharged BMW 318Ti was a hot mess, Audi A4 1.8T was competent but not lovable. I’ve just always preferred a 6, 8, or rotary.

[Reg]

Originally Posted by vash

I’ll go lower down the engine food chain.

Toyota 22re.

I had both ‘85 Celica gts (with above) as well as same yr MR2 with the 4-age 1600. Both great engines but the latter revved like crazy and was used in F Atlantic for a number of years.

Toyota. Just get in and go.

[CurtEgerer]

My 951 is modified and rips (one of the faster cars I've driven regardless of cylinder count). I've never driven a stock version so I have no reference on that. Turbo lag? Thank God. That's the fun part.



My E30 M3 had a beautiful engine with a legitimate racing pedigree, but it wasn't fast and I never bonded with the engine or the car.

[CurtEgerer]

The ultimate 4-banger for me is the 505HP 2.1L supercharged and turbocharged Kimera.

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